Dugway shooting event draws 75 military, civilians

Each of the 75 shooters competed with rifle, pistol or shotgun in five courses. New this year was a sixth course: throwing a tomahawk. The shoot was hosted during National Police Week by the Dugway Police Department.

Target distance ranged from 13 to 500 yards. Close range work was with semi-auto pistols (9mm or .40 S&W preferred) or a shotgun. In the Factory Division, competitors were limited to pump-only shotguns and rifle optics that did not magnify. The Practical Division allowed pump or semi-auto shotguns and limited scope magnification. Unlimited Division allowed any type of shotgun and rifle optics. Long range shooting, with a scoped AR semi-auto rifle, was from the turret of a 14-ton Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) truck. Shooters had to hit seven targets at 55 to 500 yards.

Competitors were from Dugway Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Reserve Police Services, Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, Salt Lake City Police Department, Weber County Sheriff's Office, Sandy City Police Department, Utah Department of Corrections, UTA Police Department, Draper City Police Department, Tooele County Sheriff's Office, University of Utah Army ROTC, Utah National Guard, 419th Security Forces at Hill Air Force Base, Office of Special Investigations at Hill AFB, Hill AFB Reserve Recruiting and various organizations from Dugway Proving Ground.

Col. Brant Hoskins, commander of Dugway Proving Ground, welcomed the crowd and reminded them that Dugway sponsors an annual 5 to 50K Trail and Ultra Run each October, open to the public. Dugway's garrison mManager, Aaron Goodman, welcomed all. Chaplain (Maj.) James Lester of Dugway Hope Chapel offered an invocation before the event.

Grown popular over the years, Top Shot was limited to 75 shooters to keep it flowing. A barbecue lunch was served entrants, who enjoyed meeting others who keep the peace.

For Lt. Dave Worthington of Sandy City Police Department, it was his first time on Dugway. "I love it," he said. "This is a fun day, to come out here; the camaraderie with the guys who have the same interest."

Door prizes were awarded steadily throughout the day, drawn from a competitor's name on an empty 12-gauge shell. Experience among competitors ranged from expert to one competitor who purchased a shotgun and rifle a week before competing.

"It's excellent, a lot better than in years past," Patrol Sgt. Nicholas Yale of the Tooele County Sheriff's Office said. "The flow has improved; more shooting, less sitting and waiting."

Overall winners in each division were Factory Men's: Officer Aaron Buchei, Salt Lake City Police. Factory Women's: Officer Tiffany Twitchell- Smith, Unified Police Department. Practical Men's: Officer Phillip Vollmer, Unified Police Department. Practical Women's: Kisa Libby, sponsored shooter from PWS. Unlimited Men's: Detective Troy Morgan, Provo City Police Department. Tomahawk Champ Men's: Agent Andrew Dalton, Utah Adult Probation and Parole. American Federation Government Employees Local 2185 Pistol Course: SGT Michael R Bastian, Dugway Police Department.